Site PHP08: Twin Lakes State Park

Description

The twin lakes of Twin Lakes State Park are perfect for a day of wildlife watching. A series of nature trails loop around both lakes providing access to several different habitats. The lakes themselves support great blue, and in summer green herons, and families of wood ducks. The lakes are also home to numerous eastern painted turtles and the less often seen common snapping turtle. The banks of the lakes are also great spots to see dragonflies, with dozens of slaty skimmers coursing over the surface and perching on dead twigs along the shore.
The woods that surround the lakes are filled with northern cardinals and blue jays. In the warmer summer months check these woods for eastern wood-peewees, hooded warblers and red-eyed vireos during migration. Listen for the subtle tapping of woodpeckers including downy, hairy, pileated and red-bellied. At times white-breasted nuthatches can also be found. Butterflies can also be numerous with dozens of question marks and red-spotted purples feeding in the wildflowers along the shoreline.

Directions

From Sailors Creek, return southwest on Rt. 617 for 2.7 miles to SR 307. Turn right on SR 307 for 2.5 miles. Turn right on US 460 west towards Farmville. Turn left on Rt. 696/Green Bay Road (follow Twin Lakes State Park brown signs) Turn left on Rt. 612/Sandy River Road. Turn right on Rt. 613/Indian Spring Road. Turn left into the park, Rt. 629/Twin Lakes Road. The office is on the right just past the first lake.